Manager - Operations

Franklin Templeton has built an industry leading range of capabilities across traditional and alternative asset classes through strategic acquisitions. To offer these capabilities to Japanese investors, Product team aims to expand our product line-up.

We are looking for a Manager for fund accounting team, Operations to join the team in Japan.

• The fund accounting manager is responsible for overseeing fund accounting activities for Japan-domiciled investment trusts. The role focuses on ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of NAV calculations, maintaining strong accounting controls, and providing effective oversight of custodians and outsourced service providers. It might include separately managed accounts.

• This position works closely with internal stakeholders, global teams, and external service providers to support day-to-day operations, regulatory compliance, and ongoing process enhancements in a global asset management environment.

• Proven experience in handling irregular or non-routine issues is required.  Opportunity to work in a leading global asset management firm

• A role that combines technical fund accounting expertise with governance, oversight, and process improvement

Experience:

Required Experience

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in fund accounting, primarily covering mutual funds, including daily NAV calculation and core accounting processes.

• Proven experience in handling and resolving irregular, non-routine, or critical operational issues (e.g. valuation issues, process failures), with strong judgment under pressure.

• Demonstrated ability to stabilize and strengthen fund accounting operations, including identifying control gaps and implementing corrective and preventive measures.

• Experience in new fund set-ups and fund terminations, managing tight timelines and multi-party coordination.

• Hands-on experience in overseeing BPO / outsourced service providers, including issue escalation, remediation management, and reinforcement of oversight and control frameworks.

Preferred

• Exposure to complex or non-standard instruments and operational processes requiring bespoke handling.

• Experience and knowledge in separately managed accounts (SMAs).

• Experience in vendor oversight, process improvement initiatives, or project-based work, including coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

Expertise/Knowledge:

• Fund Accounting & NAV Oversight

  • Review and validate daily and periodic NAV calculations for Japan-domiciled investment trusts

  • Investigate valuation discrepancies, price breaks, accrual issues, and unusual fluctuations, and escalate issues as appropriate

  • Oversee accounting treatment for securities valuation, income accruals, corporate actions, coupon and redemption processing

  • Ensure accounting outcomes are consistent with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and fund documentation

• Custodian, Trust Bank & Outsourcing Oversight

  • Act as the primary point of contact for custodians, trust bank, and BPO service providers

  • Provide clear instructions, respond to inquiries, and ensure timely resolution of operational issues

  • Monitor service delivery against agreed SLAs and KPIs

  • Lead or support root cause analysis and remediation planning for accounting errors or operational incidents

• Governance, Risk & Regulatory Support

  • Support compliance with Japan regulatory requirements applicable to investment trust accounting

  • Assist with internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and ad hoc information requests

  • Maintain and enhance fund accounting procedures, control documentation, and process manuals

  • Contribute to strengthening the overall governance and control framework

• Projects & Continuous Improvement

  • Support accounting aspects of fund launches, liquidation, mergers, and product changes

  • Participate in system implementations, migrations, and process improvement initiatives

  • Collaborate with global and regional teams to align local processes with global standards and best practices

Competency:

• High attention to detail with a strong risk and control mindset

• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders across functions and geographies

• Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, global organization

• “Think globally, act locally” approach to problem-solving

PC and Language Skills:

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for reporting and operational communication.

• Excellent business-level communication skills in Japanese and English, with experience working in a global environment.

• Hands-on experience with fund accounting and related systems, such as T-STAR TX, GX-Light, FundWeb, Xnet, Bloomberg, market pricing vendor systems, and custody bank web platforms, or equivalent systems.

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